East Newark Volunteer Fire Department Parade 1941 Fire Engine (Photo courtesy United Irish Facebook page)

March 15, 2015 (Kearny, NJ) In October 1973, four clubs: The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7, The Irish American Club, The Four Provinces, and The Friends of Erin came together to form the United Irish Association. The first parade organized by this new association was in 1974. The founding members were: John Evans, Bob Reid, Desmond Boomer, Bob Carney, Dennis Smith, Ike O'Hagan, Frank Morgan and Eugene Docherty.

The United Irish Associations of West Hudson, Inc. was established as a non-profit corporation in the State of New Jersey in 1989 in order to perpetuate the work of educating the public about and propagating Irish-American culture. The organization now has ten member organizations: Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 7 Kearny, The Cifelli Association, East Newark Volunteer Fire Department, Friends of Erin Kearny, Harrison / East Newark B.P.O. Elks Lodge #2326, Irish American Association Kearny, Knights of Columbus Council #402 Harrison, Knights of Columbus Council #6928 Kearny, LCCC Lithuanian Catholic Community Club, and the Scots-American Club Kearny.

The United Irish Associations of West Hudson is responsible for funding, managing, and presenting the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade through the New Jersey towns of East Newark, Harrison, and Kearny.



The United Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade will start in Harrison along Harrison Avenue and North Frank E. Rodgers Blvd, through East Newark and then up Kearny Avenue in Kearny NJ. The parade kick off is 2 p.m. in Harrison.

The 2015 United Irish Honorees are: Grand Marshall Michael Gray, Deputy Grand Marshall Gina O'Donnell-Wiltrout, and Deputy Grand Marshall Jane Atchison-Mackesy.

The United Irish website has complete biographs on each honoree. Each has an interesting stories regarding their background and life. Each is deserving of the honor that has been bestowed upon them.

Click on this link to go to the United Irish website to read about each honoree. The United Irish is also on Facebook so you can share your pictures of the Parade with them.